Dion Lewis goes forward as Eagles backup running back (With Video)

PHILADELPHIA --- The Eagles got a career 2011 season out of LeSean McCoy, who scored a club-record 20 touchdowns and averaged 21 touches per game.

The excessive workload was partly because management was so unhappy with backup Ronnie Brown, they tried to trade him to the Detroit Lions for a guy they really didn't want to be in their plans.

McCoy has averaged 267 touches in three NFL seasons. If the Eagles want him to be productive in his fourth season they're going to need help from his backup, Dion Lewis.

At 5-foot-8 and 197 pounds, Lewis is built like Brian Westbrook, just not quite as fast or prolific. Or so it appeared last season.

Lewis' first season statistically mirrored Westbrook's, with one exception - Lewis scored a touchdown. And Lewis, the fifth-round pick out of Pitt, didn't have the benefit of an offseason due to the lockout.

"I know my run reads, the details, knowing exactly where I'm supposed to be," Lewis said Wednesday. "Knowing the offense and being a student of the game, from that standpoint, the difference is night and day. I understand the whole offense, I know why people are doing what they're doing.

"Last year I was just doing stuff. Now I know why I'm doing it. When you're comfortable, you're not thinking. You're playing football. If you don't know what you're doing, you're not going to be able to show what you can do."

Lewis has looked the part in the non-contact offseason camps. With McCoy sidelined for the regular season finale, Lewis had 12 rushes for 58 yards and a score in the win over the Washington Redskins.

"Dion is one of those little guys that understands just because you're small doesn't mean you can't be good," Eagles running backs coach Ted Williams said. "And he has real talent. He has foot skill, he has speed skill, he has quickness skill. He's a little bit like LeSean in regard to he has a big heart.

"I'll never forget when I first talked to Dion. Like most young people, everyone dreams of being a first-round draft pick. That's in all their heads. And when they're not that's somewhat of a wakeup call. He just said 'Hey, I've been through this before. I've dealt with adversity. I'll deal with this and I'll be the best player I can be.' Dion is going to be a really good player in this league because he has good vision, he has good feet, he has receiving skills. He has enough talent that when he figures it out, he's going to be a really good football player."

Lewis is crossing the days off the calendar until the July 22 start of training camp. Unlike last year, he knows exactly what he's shooting for.

"Be a backup. Be a backup and gain the coaches' trust, get a few more touches and be involved," Lewis said. "And I work hard every day to make sure that backup spot is mine."

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NOTES: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin bounced in and out of practice with just enough soreness in his legs that he had to exit at one point to be attended to by a trainer. After a trip inside, he reemerged. Maclin finished practice but wasn't running as he had on other days. ... Rookie defensive end Vinny Curry hasn't practiced since he sprained an ankle running into the 6-5, 310-pound roadblock that is D.J. Jones last week. The Eagles have said almost nothing about the injury. ... Defensive end Jason Babin intercepted a pass Wednesday. That makes two picks in the offseason. ... The Eagles' practice Wednesday wasn't nearly as energetic or sound as the session Tuesday. There were too many dropped passes and players jumping offside. Camp wraps up after a Thursday morning session. ... And here's a strange one - linebackers Brian Rolle and Jamar Chaney recently found out they are blood relatives, although Rolle found it confusing trying to explain the link.